[Publib] Architects with bad ideas

[Jennie J. Stoltz]

YES, just because an architect has worked on a lot of libraries and has built up a reputation for that doesn't mean that they design FUNCTIONAL facilities.  We've had a lot of new libraries go up in this area over the past five years or so and I've visited many of them.  Each and every time the librarians would show me one (or more) problem that resulted from an unfortunate decision that had been made.  Often times the librarians would say "we asked them to do it such-and-such way but...".  

At one library there were these beautiful built-in furniture pieces installed right over the electrical sockets.  In order to unplug or plug something in you have to crawl on the floor and reach up below the back of the piece.  Even then it isn't always possible to reach the socket.  Sight lines are also something that is often ignored by architects because they can't understand their importance.  I also worked at one library where the desks were extremely short so they were VERY uncomfortable to sit at, especially when you were on the desk for an 8 hour shift.  On top of that the desk drawers (in the same desk) only came out half way so you couldn't really use them for storing.

I think it's an excellent decision to go and visit the other libraries that the architects have done.  In particular ask them if there were any things they would have done differently...  I suspect that most people aren't going to want to say anything negative about their architects.  I think that most library architects work very hard creating a beautiful and functional space but sometimes perhaps the Form part does get ahead of the Function part.
 

Jennie J. Stoltz
Director
Pewaukee Public Library
(262) 691-5670, ext. 20
(262) 691-5673 fax

----- Original Message -----
From: Sue Kamm <suekamm at mindspring.com>
Date: Monday, October 22, 2007 8:38 pm
Subject: RE: [Publib] Architects with bad ideas
To: Su Epstein <sepstein at columbiactlibrary.org>, publib <publib at webjunction.org>


> The last thing you need is some architect with awards up the wazoo for 
> designing buildings.  Before you hire an architect, visit some of the 
> buildings s/he has designed and talk to the front-line staff who work 
> there daily.  
>  
>  A library (or any other building, for that matter) should not shriek: 
> "Look at me! Aren't I gorgeous?"
>  
>  Your friendly neighborhood CyberGoddess and ALA Councilor at Large, 
>  Sue Kamm
>  Email: suekamm[at]mindspring.com
>  Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
>  Los Angeles Dodgers Truest of the Blue, 2000
>  Visit my blog: http://suekamm.blogspot.com
>  Baseball Is Life...the rest is details.
>  
>  
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Su Epstein 
>  To: PUBLIB
>  Sent: 10/22/2007 4:11:33 PM 
>  Subject: [Publib] Architects with bad ideas
>  
>  
>  The recent ramp issue, has prompted me to write�
>   
>  We are at the very early stages of building planning.  Our town 
> selectmen believe that if the architects have a �library specialty�  
> they are the experts and know all about how to create a library.  The 
> last such �expert� I dealt with, suggested putting a spiral stair case 
> in the middle of a k-12 school library as the ONLY access to the 
> school�s gym�  The drawn picture with stationary students drawn in, 
> DID look pretty.
>   
>  I do not believe ~my~ experience unique an my selectman�s accurate.  
> So� if you have a related horror story and want to write me off list� 
> I�m going to start assembling them.  Names and libraries will be 
> withheld upon request.
>   
>  Thanks!
>  Su
>  Write me at:   sepstein at columbiactlibrary.org
>   
>  Su Epstein, Ph.D.
>  Library Director
>  Saxton B. Little Free Library
>  Columbia, CT 06237
>  
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